Clasp



F. W CROCKER.

CLASP.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 6; I920.

Patented Oct. 4, 1921.

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' V Y '0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, F RED W. CRooKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State .of California, have invented new and useful Improvements inClasps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a clasp which is especially applicable for use on garment supporters such as sleeve-holders, hose fasteners and the like. 7

It isthe objects of this invention to provide a clasp of the type embodying gripping jaws, having means for locking the jaws in their closed or gripping position to prevent them from becoming accidently unfastened, but which locking means may be readily manipulated to release the jaws and permit opening thereof.

A further object is to provide a device of the above character which is simple in construction, reliable, durable, and efficient.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the clasp showing one of its jaws in an open position and the other jaw in a closed position.

Fig. 2 is a view in longitudinal section of a jaw as seen in its open position.

Fig. 3'is a longitudinal section of a jaw showing it in its locked closed position.

Fig. 4c is aview in transverse section as seen on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

In carrying out my invention I employ a pair of clasp members or jaws 5 and 6 of corresponding construction, each of which embodies a fixed jaw member 7 and a pivoted jaw member 8; the fixed jaw members of the clasp. being connected together by links 9 or other suitable flexible connections. Each of the jaw members 7 and 8 are preterably formed of sheet metal and have a substantially rectangular innerend portion and an outwardly flared outer end portion terminating on an arc, and also have an in wardly extending serrated end flanges 10 forming grippingteeth on the outer end oi the jaw members adapted to intermesh with each other when the jaw members are closed. The inner end portion of each jaw member 7 and 8 is formed with inturned side flanges 11 and 12 constituting lugs and arranged with the flanges 12 of the jaw member 8 extending between the flanges 11 and projecting alongside thereof; the flanges 11 and 12 Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 6, 1920. Serial No. 394,077.

Patented oat. a, 1921.

being pivotally connected together by a pivot pin let to form a hinged joint between the jaw members whereby the serrated outer end of the member 8 maybe moved toward or away from the serrated outer-end of the member 7 Mounted on the undersideof the fixed jaw member to slide lengthwise of the flange 11 is a slide bar 15 having a tapered or wedge shaped end portion 16 adapted to pass over and engage an upturned end flange 17 on the inner end of the pivoted jaw member in such manner as to clamp the latter in its closed position, as shown in Fig. 3. A slot 18 is formed in the fixed jaw member above the slide bar 15 and the latter has its outer end upturned to form a finger piece 19 which projects through the slot and overhangs the edges thereof to eflect a slidable connection between the bar and the sides of the slots, whereby the slide bar is held in place on the fixed jaw member; the bar being held against turning on the latter by the side flange l1.

In the operation of the invention, when it is desired to open the jaw members 7 and 8the slide bar 15 is moved to a retracted position to dispose the tapered end clear of the upturned end of the pivoted jaw members, as shown in Fig. 2, thus disengaging the pivoted jaw member and permitting it to swing in its open position; the upper edge of the flange 17 entering a slot 20 formed in the fixed aw member to permit sufficient opening movement of the aw, which movement is limited by the flange 17 abutting against the edge of the slot. l/Vhen it is desired to clamp the jaw members of the clasp in their closed position the jaw member 8 is swung toward the jaw member 7 and the slide bar 15 is advanced to extend between the flange 17 and the slot 20, as shown in Fig. 3, thereby holdingthe pivoted jaw against movement relative to the fixed jaw.

IVhile I have shown and described a specific embodiment of my invention, I do not limit myself to the exact details of construction set forth, but may employ such modifications and changes as occasion may require and as come within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a clasp, a fixed jaw member, a slide bar guided thereon having a tapered end portion, a movable jaw member pivoted on said fixed jaw member having an end flange adjacent its pivot turned toward the fixed ice. 1

' jaw member, the tapered end portion of said slide bar being adapted to be moved in and out of a position between the end of said 'flange and the fixed jaw member.

2. In a clasp, a fixed jaw member, a mov'-'- able jaw member turned flange on said movable jaw member ivoted thereon, an upadjacent its pivot, a slide bar on the underside of said fixed jaw member adapted to be interposed between the upturned flange on themovable jaw member and the fixed jaw member-for lockingthe jaw member against movement relative to each other in a closed position, and a thumb iece on said slide bar extending through sai fixed jaw member.

able jaw member pivoted thereon, an upturned flange on-said movable jaw'member adjacent its pivot, a slide bar on the under side of said fixed jaw'member adapted to be interposed between the upturned flange on the movable jaw member and the fixed jaw member for locking the jaw members against movement relative to each other, and a thumb piece on said slidebar extending through said fixed jaw member having slidable engagement with the side walls of a slot formed in the fixed jaw member to afford a mounting for said slide bar. 7

FRED W. CROCKER. 

